Freakonomics, M.D.

Why Don’t We Have a Cure for Alzheimer’s? (Ep. 49 Update)

Nov 25, 2022
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INSIGHT

Alzheimer's Pathology

  • Alzheimer's disease kills brain cells (neurons) and shrinks brain tissue.
  • It also involves misprocessed proteins like amyloid and tau, forming deposits in the brain.
INSIGHT

Amyloid Hypothesis

  • The amyloid hypothesis suggests amyloid plaques are central to Alzheimer's, similar to cholesterol in heart disease.
  • Genetic evidence and the toxicity of amyloid fragments support this idea.
ANECDOTE

Colombian Family Study

  • Dr. Tariot and colleagues studied a Colombian family with a genetic mutation causing early-onset Alzheimer's.
  • The goal was to test preventative therapies before significant brain damage.
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